Sutera plant named ‘INSUTSNPIM’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Sutera  plant named ‘INSUTSNPIM’, characterized by its low mounding to outwardly spreading and trailing plant habit; moderately vigorous growth habit; freely branching habit; dense and bushy plant form; early and freely flowering habit; large light purple-colored flowers with darker purple-colored centers; long flowering season; and good garden performance.

Botanical designation: Sutera cordata.

Cultivar denomination: ‘INSUTSNPIM’.

Cross-Reference to a Related Application and Statement Regarding Prior Disclosures by Inventor/Applicant:

This application claims priority to a Canadian Plant Breeders' Rights application filed on Apr. 15, 2019, application number 19-9767. There have been no offers for sale anywhere in the world prior to the effective filing date of this Application and no accessibility to one of ordinary skill in the art could have been derived from the printed Plant Breeder's Rights documents.

The Inventor/Applicant asserts that no publications nor advertisements relating to sales, offers for sale or public distribution occurred more than one year prior to the effective filing date of this application. Any information about the claimed plant would have been obtained from a direct or indirect disclosure from the Inventor. Applicant claims a prior art exemption under 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(1) for disclosure and/or sales prior to the filing date but less than one year prior to the effective filing date.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Sutera plant, botanically known as Sutera cordata and hereinafter referred to by the name ‘INSUTSNPIM’.

The new Sutera plant is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the Inventor in Johannesburg, South Africa. The objective of the breeding program is to create new freely-branching and trailing Sutera plants with numerous large flowers and high temperature tolerance.

The new Sutera plant originated from a cross-pollination conducted by the Inventor in March, 2016 in Johannesburg, South Africa of a proprietary selection of Sutera cordata identified as code number Su15-7305-1, not patented, as the female, or seed, parent with a proprietary selection of Sutera cordata identified as code number Su15-7006-1, not patented, as the male, or pollen, parent. The new Sutera plant was discovered and selected by the Inventor as a flowering plant from within the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlled greenhouse environment in Johannesburg, South Africa in April, 2018.

Asexual reproduction of the new Sutera plant by terminal vegetative cuttings in a controlled greenhouse environment in Gensingen, Germany since April, 2018 has shown that the unique features of this new Sutera plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Sutera have not been observed under all possible combinations of environmental conditions and cultural practices. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditions such as temperature and light intensity without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘INSUTSNPIM’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘INSUTSNPIM’ as a new and distinct Sutera plant:

-   -   1. Low mounding to outwardly spreading and trailing plant habit.     -   2. Moderately vigorous growth habit.     -   3. Freely branching habit; dense and bushy plant form.     -   4. Early and freely flowering habit.     -   5. Large light purple-colored flowers with darker purple-colored         centers.     -   6. Long flowering season.     -   7. Good garden performance.

Plants of the new Sutera can be compared to plants of the female parent selection. Plants of the new Sutera differ primarily from plants of the female parent selection in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Sutera are larger than and not as compact         as plants of the female parent selection.     -   2. Plants of the new Sutera have larger flowers than plants of         the female parent selection.     -   3. Flowers of plants of the new Sutera are light purple in color         with darker purple-colored centers whereas flowers of plants of         the female parent selection are soft lavender in color.

Plants of the new Sutera can be compared to plants of the male parent selection. Plants of the new Sutera differ primarily from plants of the male parent selection in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Sutera are larger than and not as compact         as plants of the male parent selection.     -   2. Plants of the new Sutera are more freely branching than         plants of the male parent selection.     -   3. Flowers of plants of the new Sutera are light purple in color         with darker purple-colored centers whereas flowers of plants of         the male parent selection are lavender in color with         pink-colored centers.

Plants of the new Sutera can be compared to plants of the Sutera cordata ‘DANOVA982’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 22,398. In side-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Sutera differ primarily from plants of ‘DANOVA982’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Sutera have larger flowers than plants of         ‘DANOVA982’.     -   2. Flowers of plants of the new Sutera are light purple in color         with darker purple-colored centers whereas flowers of plants of         ‘DANOVA982’ are light violet in color.     -   3. Plants of the new Sutera are more freely flowering and flower         more continuously during the summer than plants of ‘DANOVA982’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Sutera plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors of the new Sutera plant.

At the top of the photographic sheet (FIG. 1) is a side perspective view of a typical flowering plant of ‘INSUTSNPIM’ grown in a container and

at the bottom of the photographic sheet is a close-up view of a typical flowering plant of ‘INSUTSNPIM’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The aforementioned photographs and following observations and measurements describe plants grown during the spring in 15-cm containers in a polyethylene-covered greenhouse in St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada and under cultural practices typical of commercial Sutera production. During the production of the plants, day temperatures averaged 27° C. and night temperatures averaged 15° C. Plants were pinched three weeks after propagating rooted cuttings and were six weeks from planting rooted cuttings when the photographs and description were taken. In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 2007 Edition, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical classification: Sutera cordata ‘INSUTSNPIM’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female, or seed, parent.—Proprietary selection of Sutera             cordata identified as code number Su15-7305-1, not patented.         -   Male or pollen parent.—Proprietary selection of Sutera             cordata identified as code number Su15-7006-1, not patented. -   Propagation:     -   -   Type.—By terminal vegetative cuttings.         -   Time to initiate roots, summer and winter.—About seven to             ten days at soil temperatures ranging from about 21° C. to             22° C.         -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, summer.—About three to             four weeks at soil temperatures ranging from about 21° C. to             22° C.         -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, winter.—About four to             five weeks at soil temperatures ranging from about 21° C. to             22° C.         -   Root description.—Medium in thickness, fibrous; typically             creamy white in color, actual color of the roots is             dependent on substrate composition, water quality,             fertilizer type and formulation, substrate temperature and             physiological age of roots.         -   Rooting habit.—Freely branching; medium density. -   Plant description:     -   -   Plant and growth habit.—Low mounding to outwardly spreading             and trailing plant habit; moderately vigorous growth habit;             moderate growth rate.         -   Plant height.—About 15 cm.         -   Plant diameter (area of spread).—About 40.2 cm. -   Lateral branch description:     -   -   Branching habit.—Freely branching habit; when pinched, about             four primary lateral branches each with up to ten secondary             lateral branches develop per plant; dense and bushy plant             form.         -   Length, primary laterals.—About 21.3 cm.         -   Diameter, primary laterals.—About 1.5 mm.         -   Internode length.—About 2.4 cm.         -   Strength.—Moderately strong.         -   Aspect.—Horizontally spreading to trailing.         -   Texture and luster.—Moderately to densely pubescent; matte.         -   Color, developing.—Close to 144B.         -   Color, developed.—Close to 147B. -   Leaf description:     -   -   Arrangement.—Before flowering, alternate; after flowering,             opposite, simple.         -   Length.—About 2.1 cm.         -   Width.—About 1.6 cm.         -   Shape.—Broadly elliptic to rounded.         -   Apex.—Acute.         -   Base.—Attenuate.         -   Margin.—Dentate, not lobed.         -   Texture and luster, upper and lower surfaces.—Sparsely             pubescent; matte.         -   Venation pattern.—Pinnate, reticulate.         -   Color.—Developing leaves, upper surface: Close to 138A.             Developing leaves, lower surface: Close to 138B. Fully             expanded leaves, upper surface: Close to 137A; venation,             close to 144A. Fully expanded leaves, lower surface: Close             to 138A; venation, close to 144B.         -   Petioles.—Length: About 4.8 mm. Diameter: About 2 mm.             Strength: Weak. Texture and luster, upper and lower             surfaces: Moderately pubescent; matte. Color, upper surface:             Close to 137A. Color, lower surface: Close to 147B. -   Flower description:     -   -   Flower arrangement.—Large single salverform flowers; freely             flowering habit with potentially about 529 flower buds and             open flowers per plant at one time; flowers face mostly             upright then turning outwardly.         -   Fragrance.—None detected.         -   Flowering habit.—Early flowering habit, plants begin             flowering about five weeks after planting; long flowering             season, plants flower continuously from the spring until the             autumn in Southern Ontario.         -   Flower longevity.—Flowers last about five days on the plant;             flowers not persistent.         -   Flower diameter.—About 2.5 cm.         -   Flower length (height).—About 1.1 cm.         -   Throat diameter.—About 5 mm.         -   Tube length.—About 1 cm.         -   Tube diameter, base.—About 1.5 mm.         -   Flower buds.—Length: About 12 mm. Diameter: About 7 mm.             Shape: Obovate. Texture and luster: Densely pubescent;             matte. Color: Close to 75C.         -   Petals.—Quantity and arrangement: Five per flower in a             single whorl; fused at the base. Lobe length: About 1 cm.             Lobe width: About 1 cm. Lobe shape: Roughly orbicular. Lobe             apex: Obtuse, rounded. Lobe margin: Entire; slightly             undulate. Texture and luster, petal lobes, upper surface:             Smooth, glabrous; matte. Texture and luster, petal lobes,             lower surface: Moderately pubescent; matte. Texture and             luster, throat: Sparse to moderately pubescent, matte.             Texture and luster, tube: Moderately to densely pubescent,             matte. Color: Petal lobes, when opening, upper surface:             Close to 75C; towards the base, close to N78C. Petal lobes,             when opening, lower surface: Close to 69B; towards the base,             close to 76A. Petal lobes, fully opened, upper surface:             Close to 84C; towards the base, close to N78B; venation,             similar to lamina; color does not change with development.             Petal lobes, fully opened, lower surface: Close to 84C;             towards the base, close to 84B; venation, similar to lamina;             color does not change with development. Throat: Close to 17A             to 17B. Tube: Close to 150D.         -   Sepals.—Quantity and arrangement: Five per flower in a             single whorl; fused at the base; calyx, star-shaped. Length:             About 8 mm. Width: About 1 mm. Shape: Lanceolate to linear.             Apex: Acute. Margin: Entire. Texture and luster, upper             surface: Sparsely pubescent; matte. Texture and luster,             lower surface: Moderately pubescent; matte. Color: When             opening, upper and lower surfaces: Close to 144A. Fully             opened, upper and lower surfaces: Close to 146A.         -   Peduncles.—Length: About 13.2 cm. Diameter: About 0.6 mm.             Angle: About 30° from vertical. Strength: Moderately strong.             Texture and luster: Moderately to densely pubescent; matte.             Color: Close to 137B.         -   Reproductive organs.—Androecium: Quantity of stamens per             flower: About four. Filament length: About 8 mm. Filament             color: Close to 157D. Anther size: About 2 mm by 1 mm.             Anther shape: Oval. Anther color: Close to 13B. Amount of             pollen: Moderate. Pollen color: Close to 14A. Gynoecium:             Quantity of pistils per flower: One. Pistil length: About             1.2 cm. Style length: About 9 mm. Style color: Close to             145C. Stigma size: About 1 mm by 3 mm. Stigma shape:             Lanceolate. Stigma color: Close to 144A. Ovary color: Close             to 144A.         -   Seeds and fruits.—To date, seed and fruit production have             not been observed on plants of the new Sutera. -   Garden performance: Plants of the new Sutera have been observed to     have good garden performance and to tolerate wind, rain and to be     suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 9 to 11. -   Pathogen & pest tolerance: To date, plants of the new Sutera have     not been observed to be tolerant to pathogens and pests common to     Sutera plants. 

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Sutera plant named ‘INSUTSNPIM’ as illustrated and described. 